Sarah Green is producing, along with Everest Entertainment topper Lisa Maria Falcone through her shingle. FilmNation's Aaron Ryder will also produce. Glen Basner will executive produce for FilmNation, which is selling MUD internationally. FilmNation and CAA are handling U.S. sales.

MUD is a coming-of-age drama centered around two fourteen-year-old boys who encounter a mysterious fugitive hiding out on an island in the Mississippi. Intrigued by this man, they enter into a pact to help him evade capture and reconnect with the love of his life. Though it is hard for the boys to discern truth from fiction when it comes to Mud, it isn't long until their small Arkansas town is besieged by a beautiful girl with a line of hunters in tow.

Shepard will play the reclusive character of 'Tom Blankenship.' Shannon will play 'Galen,' the uncle of one of the boys, and Paulson and McKinnon will play the parents of the other. Baker and Sparks are figures who are out for revenge.

Shepard most recently starred in BLACKTHORN, directed by Mateo Gil and just wrapped production in COGAN'S TRADE, opposite Brad Pitt. He was nominated for an Academy Award for the acclaimed film THE RIGHT STUFF, and also starred in BLACK HAWK DOWN and THE NOTEBOOK. He is repped by ICM.

Project will be a reunion of sorts for Shannon and Nichols as Shannon stars in Nichols' acclaimed TAKE SHELTER, an award-winner from Sundance and Cannes which opens September 30. The pair also worked together on Nichols' first film SHOTGUN STORIES. Shannon can also be seen in Marc Forster's MACHINE GUN PREACHER, and is currently filming Zack Snyder's Superman reboot MAN OF STEEL. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD. He is repped by CAA and Byron Wetzel Management.

Paulson will next star opposite Elizabeth Olsen in this season's buzzed about thriller MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE, directed by Sean Durkin. The film opens on October 21st. In February Sarah stars opposite Julianne Moore in HBO's GAME CHANGE. Paulson can also be seen in this fall's new drama by Ryan Murphy, AMERICAN HORROR STORY, airing on FX starting this October. She is repped by UTA and manager Perry Kipperman.

Green's credits include the Untitled Terrence Malick Project, TAKE SHELTER, THE TREE OF LIFE and FRIDA.

FilmNation also handled international sales for Nichols' TAKE SHELTER. The company recently completed HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET, starring Jennifer Lawrence (X-MEN FIRST CLASS) and THE RAVEN, starring John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe.